Disclaimer

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has added a link to a translation service developed by Microsoft Inc., entitled Bing Translator, as a convenience to visitors to the DEC website who speak languages other than English.

2013-2014 Trapping Season on Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, and John White Wildlife Management Areas

Beginning October 1, trapping permits will be issued for the Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, and John White Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for the 2013-2014 license year. Permit applications can be obtained weekdays from October 1 through November 30, by appearing in person at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Office on Casey Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by writing to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Bureau of Wildlife, 1101 Casey Road, Box B, Basom, New York 14013.

Trappers who obtain a permit will be required to report their harvest and trapping efforts on each area. The Western New York trapping season for fox, raccoon, coyote and other upland furbearing animals opens Oct. 25, 2013, and closes Feb. 15, 2014, with the exception of the John White WMA, which will run from Nov. 1, 2013 to Feb. 15, 2014.

This year, the beaver season in this area of New York (including on Tonawanda, Oak Orchard and John White WMAs) will run from Nov. 25, 2013 until Feb. 15, 2014.

The Western New York trapping season for mink and muskrat opens on Nov. 25, 2013 and closes on Feb. 15, 2014. However, the 2013-2014 muskrat and mink seasons at the three WMAs start later than the Western New York trapping season and will run from Dec. 7, 2013 to Feb. 15, 2014. In addition, a 25-trap limit will be in place for muskrat and mink on the three WMAs (traps set for upland trapping and beaver will not require numbered tags and will not be considered in the trap limit). The trap limit provides a more equitable distribution of the harvest and prevents trappers from monopolizing the better trapping areas.

The maximum number of traps a single trapper can set for muskrat and mink on the three areas is 25. To accomplish this, the DEC issues 25 numbered tags to each trapper who obtains a permit. A tag must be attached to each trap used on the areas. Any trap that does not have one of these tags attached is considered an illegal trap. Also, an individual trapper can only operate traps that contain tags with their assigned numbers.

Management of the muskrat population promotes prime emergent marsh habitats used by waterfowl and uncommon marsh birds such as the black tern and least bittern. The trap limit allows Bureau of Wildlife personnel to better regulate the muskrat harvest according to water availability, habitat needs and population.

Hunters and trappers are reminded that no gas or electric motor boats are allowed on Oak Orchard or Tonawanda WMAs.